I have a black 91 civic with an 8 year old poor paint job. I bought a new hood and side bumpers since my old is rusted. The guy will paint it for $300. I had concerns the rest of the car would not match new paint.

The guy pulled some grey wet sand paper from a bucket of water and rubbed a spot on the fender until it was hazy. Then he took a yellow rotary buffer tool with a yellow wool looking disc and compound and went to work. In a few seconds it removed the haze, removed scratches and brought out an impressive shine!

He said he would charge me an additional $200 (over painting hood and bumpers) to wet sand and buff the whole car, fill in nicks with touch up paint, and put bondo with paint over some small rust spots.

I thought this was a little high especially since he told me the bumpers and roof would not come out as nice as the fender. Apparently something to do with the sun and paint on plastic. Do you think I can rent the tool, buy a disc or two and compound myself? I kind of liked this guy because he looked like he would take his time and I know he has skills. Should I do it myself or let him do it for $200. My paint is not really that bad but a wash and wax dont really last that long. Here are pictures after a wash and wax. Thoughts?

 

rusty hood

 

let him do it. unless you really know what your doing and practice you will ruin it. 200 to wetsand and buff a car is CHEAP as long as its done right. I WOuldnt let him put bondo and apint over a rust spot though. Thats a hack way of doing it and it will come back

 

NAILED it!

[or you could let me do it I'm cheaper ]

 

wet sanding isn't as easy as people make it sound to be. Neither is buffing.

 

no its not at all. I saved the hood from my wrecked car and i am using that to practice on. Thats the best way to learn